Oren Teicher, CEO of the American Booksellers Association

This episode of Late Night Conversation features Oren Teicher, CEO of the American Booksellers Association—a national, not for profit trade association, that exists to protect and promote the interests of its members: independently owned bookstores, large and small, with storefront locations in towns and cities nationwide. In 2008 ABA created Indiebound—a community-oriented movement that brings together booksellers, readers, indie retailers, local business alliances, and anyone else with a passionate belief that healthy local economies help communities thrive.

Last May, Oren issued an email campaign to member stores asking for support in preserving the agency model. “Since the introduction of the agency model many more independent booksellers are selling e-books, and those sales have shown steady growth,” he writes. “The agency model has lowered prices to indie bookstore customers, and indies themselves have seen significantly increased price competition among publishers in regard to promotions, discounts, and special offers, all of which have allowed bricks-and-mortar bookstores to offer customers a wider array of titles at a greater value.”

Paul and Oren discuss the benefits of the agency model, the ways Amazon has changed book culture, and the challenges of sustaining independent bricks-and-mortar bookstores in today’s marketplace. “The most important thing that can be done is to continually remind consumers that in shopping in an independent store, not only are you getting good service and getting an array of titles that are available to you to browse through that you may not see elsewhere, you are making an investment in the longterm viability of your community,” Oren tells Paul. “That store is not going to continue to be there if you come into the store, browse its shelves, and make your purchases elsewhere.”

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